Actress Kabori dies of Covid-19

Veteran actress Sarah Begum Kabori has died of Covid-19. She was 70.

She breathed her last at 12:20am Saturday in Sheikh Russel Gastro Liver Institute and Hospital, Dhaka, her son Shaker Chisty confirmed.

Kabori caught fever and tested positive for Covid-19 recently. She was hospitalised on 7 April. As her condition deteriorated, doctors put her on life support .

She will be laid to eternal rest at the Banani graveyard in Dhaka, followed by her namaz-e-janaza and state guard of honour.

President M Abdul Hamid expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of noted film actress and former lawmaker from Narayanganj-4 constituency Sarah Begum Kabori.

In a condolence message, the President recalled the contribution of Kabori in the field of country's film industry with honour.

Calling her a shining star of Bangla cinema, Abdul Hamid said her death is an irreparable loss to the country's film industry.

"People of the country will remember Kabori's role due respect in promoting Bangla film and culture for long," he added.

The head of state prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of eminent Bangla film actress, director and former member of parliament Sarah Begum Kabori.

In a condolence message, Sheikh Hasina said Kabori was one of the brightest stars in the country's film and her contribution to politics and cultural arena alongside performance will be remembered forever.

Meanwhile, Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal and Planning Minister MA Mannan have also mourned Kabori's death, as they prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.

Born in 1950, the actress made her film debut in 1964 in the movie 'Sutarang' at the age of 13. 

She acted in several films (e.g. Sujon Sokhi and Sareng Bou) with Farooque in the 1970s. She also performed with Bulbul Ahmed in Devdas. She acted another important role in Titash Ekti Nadir Naam directed by Indian filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak. She also acted in an Urdu film named "Bahana" by Zahir Raihan with co-actor Rahman.

Kabori also worked with several actors including Razzak, Alamgir, Sohel Rana, Ujjal, Wasim, Khan Ataur Rahman, Golam Mustafa, Anwar Hossain and ATM Shamsuzzaman. 

She received the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Actress for her role in the film Sareng Bou (1978). Apart from acting, she directed and produced a number of films.

She was elected as a member of parliament from the Narayanganj-4 constituency as a Bangladesh Awami League politician in 2008 and served until 2014.